Author To Speak About Giants History At Baseball Museum

LITTLE FALLS – “Giants Past & Present,” a new coffee table book written by native New Jerseyan Dan Fost, will take center stage in a special reading at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls.

Fost, a former reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, and a native of Bloomfield, will read from his work at Berra’s baseball shrine at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 11.

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Detailing more than 125 years of Giants history, “Giants Past & Present” (MVP Books; $25) vividly brings to life the players and managers, the ballparks and uniforms, and the moments and lineups that have defined the franchise from decade to decade. Fans who recall the team’s glory years in New York will love the stories and photos of legends like McGraw and Mathewson, Terry, Hubbell and Ott, as well as the great Willie Mays and the San Francisco stars from McCovey and Marichal to Bonds, Sandoval and Lincecum. The book celebrates everything exciting about the orange and black.

“It’s been a real joy to bring fans the behind-the-scenes stories — from the little-remembered stars of the nineteenth century to the heroes of tomorrow,” Fost says. “I’ve tried to focus on bringing entertaining stories, rather than merely listing the Giants’ many achievements. Fans will love the stories about the Giant greats, as well as learning about the little-known characters, like Mose Solomon, ‘the Rabbi of Swat,’ and Charles ‘Victory’ Faust, a good-luck charm who helped the great John McGraw win a pennant.”

“Giants Past & Present” grew out of a story Fost wrote in San Francisco Magazine in 2008, “Lords of No Rings.” As a transplant from the New York area, Fost was intrigued that this fabled team had somehow failed to win a World Series since moving to San Francisco in 1958, and relished the opportunity to delve deeper into the Giant’s storied past — from the wrenching failures to the tremendous victories.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center houses a collection of permanent and rotating exhibits that highlight baseball’s social history and the life of the Hall of Fame catcher. Located on the campus of Montclair State University, it is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 students. For information, call 1-973-655-2378, or visit www.yogiberramuseum.org.